Raised brake light assembly for vehicles, especially motor vehicles

Abstract

A raised brake light assembly for motor vehicles has a housing and a housing lens closing off the housing. At least one brake light is arranged in the housing behind the housing lens. At least one ambient light assembly is arranged within the housing. The at least one ambient light assembly radiates light in a direction different from the direction in which the at least one brake light radiates.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A raised brake light assembly for motor vehicles, comprising: 
 a first housing ( 2 );    a housing lens ( 3 ) closing off the first housing ( 2 );    at least one brake light ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″, 7 ′″) arranged in the first housing ( 2 ) behind the housing lens ( 3 ) and radiating light in a first direction;    at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) arranged within the first housing ( 2 );    wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) radiates light in a second direction different from the first direction in which the at least one brake light ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″, 7 ′″) radiates.    
     
     
         2 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) comprises at least one light source ( 14 ).  
     
     
         3 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) comprises at least one of a lens ( 20 ) and a reflector ( 18 ).  
     
     
         4 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) is a component connectable to a part of the brake light assembly ( 1 ).  
     
     
         5 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) has a second housing ( 50 ) in which at least one of a light source ( 14 ) and a reflector ( 18 ) of the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) is arranged.  
     
     
         6 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the second housing ( 50 ) is detachably fastened on the brake light assembly ( 1 ).  
     
     
         7 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 5 , comprising a carrier ( 21 ) on which the second housing ( 50 ) of the ambient light assembly ( 15 ) is secured.  
     
     
         8 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a reflector housing ( 4 ) secured on the carrier ( 21 ), wherein the at least one brake light ( 7 , 7 ′to  7 ′″) is arranged in the reflector housing ( 4 ).  
     
     
         9 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first housing ( 2 ) is secured on the reflector housing ( 4 ).  
     
     
         10 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) is secured in the first housing ( 2 ).  
     
     
         11 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the first housing ( 2 ) has at least one opening ( 19 ) allowing passage of rays ( 56 ) emitted by the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ).  
     
     
         12 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the carrier ( 21 ) is provided with fastening elements ( 51 ) configured to secure the carrier ( 21 ) on the motor vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the fastening elements ( 51 ) are snap-on clamps.  
     
     
         14 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , configured to be arranged on a hatchback door ( 43 ) of a motor vehicle such that, when the hatchback door ( 43 ) is open, light ( 56 ) emitted by the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) at least partially illuminates a ground surface behind the motor vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , configured to be arranged on a hatchback door ( 43 ) of a motor vehicle such that, when the hatchback door ( 43 ) is open, at least a portion of the light ( 56 ) emitted by the at least one ambient light source ( 15 ) illuminates an interior of the vehicle.  
     
     
         16 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the light ( 56 ) emitted by the at least one ambient light source ( 15 ) illuminates a trunk space or a luggage compartment of the motor vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a common ground contact ( 43 ) connected to the at least one brake light ( 7 ,  7 ′ to  7 ′″) and at least one light source ( 14 ) of the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ).  
     
     
         18 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a common plug connector connected to the at least one brake light ( 7 , 7 ′ to  7 ′″) and at least one light source ( 14 ) of the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ).  
     
     
         19 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing lens ( 3 ) and a lens ( 20 ) of the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) are provided on opposite sides of the first housing ( 2 ).  
     
     
         20 . The brake light assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the lens ( 20 ) of the at least one ambient light assembly ( 15 ) is smaller than the housing lens ( 3 ).